Local Government
Meekatharra
Region
Midwest
There no heritage location found in the Google fusion table.
Location
South of Meekatharra Meekatharra
Location Details
Construction Date
Constructed from 1933
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 21 Sep 2013 | Category B |
Category B |
|
Statement of Significance
The Railway Dam is significant for its association with the Meekatharra railway and the use of sustenance worker labour
Physical Description
Concrete construction with tapered dam walls.
History
The railway from Geraldton, through Mullewa and the Murchison goldfield reached Cue in 1898 and was extended to Nannine in 1903 and Meekatharra in 1910. In 1929, the extension of the line to Wiluna was begun, and completed in 1932. Meekatharra had been a watering station as the terminus of the line, but with the extension to Wiluna, a larger and more reliable supply was needed for the steam trains. The construction of a 2 million gallon capacity dam a few miles south of Meekatharra was undertaken by sustenance workers. The dam was built in an area where it could be filled through diversion channels from surrounding creeks, and extra storage capacity was established by enlarging the pool in the main creek. Steam trains were replaced with diesel during the 1950s and 1960s, and the Mullewa-Meekatharra line closed in 1978. By the 1950s the roof over the dam had deteriorated and been removed. The water is now used to irrigate the town oval. The dam is also the venue for many social events over the years and for picnic and parties.
Integrity/Authenticity
INTEGRITY Moderate to high degree
AUTHENTICITY High degree
Condition
Fair
Other Reference Numbers
| Ref Number | Description |
|---|---|
| Regional 5 | Municipal Inventory |
Place Type
Historic site
Uses
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Reservoir or Dam |
| Original Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Reservoir or Dam |
Construction Materials
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | CONCRETE | Concrete Block |
Historic Themes
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| OTHER | Other Sub-Theme |
Creation Date
03 Jun 2002Publish place record online (inHerit):
ApprovedLast Update
24 May 2021Disclaimer
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.